Upcoming event uses basketball fundamentals to enhance life skills

Detroit’s SASHA Center is taking to the court to host Culture Cures and History Heals, a free community event that uses basketball fundamentals as a framework for exploring healthy relationship management and safety.

Taking place Sunday, July 26, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., this event is hosted in partnership with No Harm, the Black Scrolls Network and A Call to Men.

The event tips off at SASHA Lane, located in the Avalon Healing Center, with greetings from Teferi Brent, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety.

Guided bus tour

A preselected group of men will then take part in a guided bus tour through Detroit, while additional attendees participate in workshops and wellness activities at SASHA Lane.

“Culture Cures and History Heals gives men in our community a space to connect and have honest conversations about masculinity, relationships and healing while building meaningful connections with people who share similar experiences,” said Kalimah Johnson, LMSW, SASHA Center Founder, CEO and Executive Director.

“Just like basketball, strong communities are built on trust, communication and teamwork. When we strengthen those fundamentals, we strengthen each other.”

Throughout the day, participants will use the game of basketball as a lens for examining healthy relationship management and violence prevention. Conversations will center around one guiding question: What basketball fundamentals can help strengthen our relationships, families and communities?

From teamwork and communication to discipline, accountability and leadership, attendees will reflect on how the lessons learned on the court can help them lead, love, mentor, heal and carry responsibility as Black men in Detroit and beyond, with a focus on their relationships.

Plenty of activities

SASHA Lane activities include:

● Workshops on relationship safety
● Poetry and journaling sessions
● Community Wellness Hub hosted by Black Sage Collective
● Games, coloring stations and mindfulness activities for ages 16 and up
● DJ Righteous and DJMaxB
● Free refreshments and giveaways

The bus tour will be led by SASHA Center’s facilitators Omari Barksdale and Spencer Murray, alongside Detroit Historian Jamon Jordan.

Noteworthy speakers

Participating men will also hear from Hank Millbourne, Wil Fosset and Tony Porter, Co-Founder and CEO of A Call to Men and a national leader in violence prevention.

As the tour moves through Detroit’s neighborhoods, participants will reflect on the city’s history and the evolution of Black manhood while considering how basketball’s core principles can strengthen families and communities.

The day culminates in a heartfelt community reunion and closing reflection at SASHA Lane, offering all attendees a chance to reflect on their relationships and explore how connections throughout their life can empower Black manhood.

Event schedule:

● Doors Open: 1:30 to 2 p.m.
● Welcome and Refreshments at SASHA Lane: 2 to 3 p.m.
● Bus Tour: 3:15 to 5 p.m.
● Raffle, Giveaway and Closing Reflection: 5:15 to 6 p.m.

Event highlights include food and workshops, along with a chance to win an autographed Detroit Pistons jersey signed by shooting guard Chaz Lanier.

Although bus tour spots are filling up, registration remains open for the day’s programming at SASHA Lane. For more information and to register, click here.